Used, Dumped, and Targeted: The Political Betrayal of Mutumbi and the UPND Standard Operating Procedure
By Thandiwe Ketiš Ngoma
In the murky waters of Zambian politics, the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND) and President Hakainde Hichilema have once again demonstrated a familiar pattern: use, discard, and persecute. The latest high-profile casualty of this political machinery is Dennis Ken Mutumba, a figure who now finds himself on the receiving end of the very system he was once recruited to serve.
The Manufactured Narrative and the Shibuyunji Betrayal
Mutumba was leveraged as part of the UPND’s communications strategy to drive a dark narrative surrounding former Head of State President Edgar Chagwa Lungu, claiming that the former president had been poisoned and secretly buried by his family in South Africa while the case was still before the Supreme Court. This sensational story was crafted to manipulate public perception, with the UPND reportedly dangling a major political reward in return: the party’s official adoption for the position of Council Chairman in Shibuyunji.
However, political fabrications built on weak foundations rarely survive scrutiny. Once Mutumba’s immediate utility to the administration expired, the UPND’s promises vanished into thin air, and the party flatly refused to adopt him as their candidate.
Refusing to be sidelined, Mutumba took a firm stand and filed his nomination as an independent candidate. By exercising his constitutional right, he was instantly transformed from a disposable political instrument into a perceived threat to President Hichilema and the UPND hierarchy. The consequences were swift. During a recent campaign rally in Shibuyunji, video footage captured Mutumba and fellow independent candidates being violently attacked by UPND political operatives, allegedly acting with the backing of state elements.
An Established Pattern: Turning on Allies and Independents
Mutumba’s ordeal is far from an isolated incident. Rather, it reflects a deeply ingrained strategy within the UPND administration: recruiting individuals for political gain, discarding them when convenient, and unleashing intimidation the moment they dare to chart an independent path.
Iris Kaingu: When former UPND candidate and public figure Iris Kaingu sought to stand on the party ticket, she was ultimately bypassed and denied adoption. Refusing to accept political marginalization, Kaingu chose to contest the seat as an independent candidate. Instead of respecting her democratic choice, President Hichilema and his political apparatus reportedly turned against her, subjecting her to persistent public attacks, intimidation, and harassment aimed at undermining her campaign.
Gary Nkombo: Perhaps the most striking example of this internal fallout involves former Minister of Local Government and long-time UPND stalwart Gary Nkombo. After decades of service as one of Hichilema’s most steadfast allies, party whip, and cabinet minister, Nkombo fell out of favor with the party leadership. When he opted to defend his seat in Mazabuka Central as an independent candidate, his years of loyalty appeared to count for little. In a disturbing incident captured on video, he was physically assaulted and harassed by hostile party cadres at the nomination center.
Thomas Allan Zgambo: As a central figure at the Zambian Watchdog, Zgambo played a significant role in shaping the media strategy that supported the UPND during its years in opposition. Today, rather than enjoying the benefits of press freedom under the government he helped elevate, he finds himself before the courts, facing potential imprisonment for his work as an investigative journalist.
Brebner Changala: Renowned civil rights activist Brebner Changala consistently used his platform to advocate for justice, challenge state overreach, and defend victims of political persecution prior to the 2021 elections. Today, he is engaged in legal battles of his own, facing state prosecution for calling on the police to thoroughly investigate the abduction of Emmanuel Jay Banda.
Short Memories at State House
The current hostility directed at figures such as Nkombo, Kaingu, Zgambo, and Changala stands in stark contrast to the roles they played during President Hichilema’s most difficult political moments, most notably his 2017 treason arrest under the previous administration.
When Hichilema was detained and his whereabouts were concealed, it was Thomas Zgambo and Brebner Changala who actively tracked down information and located him at the Lilayi Police Training School. Changala then alerted UPND leaders, including Gary Nkombo, enabling them to mobilize legal support and secure their leader’s safety.
Despite standing by Hichilema during a time of grave uncertainty, these individuals have since transitioned from trusted allies to targets of harassment, violence, and legal action.
A Warning to Independent Voices
The violent attacks on Mutumba in Shibuyunji, the assault on Gary Nkombo in Mazabuka, the harassment of Iris Kaingu, and the mounting legal pressure on Zgambo and Changala all point to a troubling conclusion: the current administration appears to view independent political participation and critics as a direct threat.
Whether through broken promises, political exclusion, physical intimidation, or legal pressure, the ruling establishment has demonstrated that loyalty can be short-lived and conditional. Mutumba’s experience serves as a clear warning to all Zambians. In this political climate, past allegiance offers little protection once one chooses to stand independently.
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